York MP attends opening of refurbished duty rooms at York Samaritans
New facilities praised by Rachael Maskell
Rachael Maskell MP for York Central visited the newly refurbished Duty Rooms at York Samaritans, marking a significant enhancement for the charity due to generous support from York Rotary Club.
The refurbishment, funded through the York Rotary Club's annual Dragon Boat Race, provides essential facilities for York Samaritans volunteers, enabling improved life-saving support and direct care for individuals in distress.
Although affiliated with the national Samaritans charity, York Samaritans is a stand-alone branch relying solely on local outreach fundraising and volunteer contributions.
At the opening event, Rachael Maskell emphasized the importance of having a conducive environment for volunteers, stating, "It was absolutely wonderful to have the opportunity to attend the opening... it is important that York volunteers have a good facility."
With over 140 volunteers, York Samaritans can now receive more calls and offer personalized assistance, reinforcing continued support and access for the community.
Celebrating the volunteers' dedication, Maskell acknowledged, "Mental health services, like York Samaritans, are there for all of us when we have need. Their expertise is literally life-saving."
She praised the call handlers' commitment to assisting individuals in crisis: "They are highly trained to listen and support people at their time of need."
York Samaritans provides a crucial service with the free and accessible helpline at 116 123, available day or night to support anyone in need.
The refurbishment represents a collaborative effort between local fundraising initiatives and dedicated volunteers, enhancing the capacity and comfort for those offering mental health assistance.
As the branch moves forward with improved facilities, York Samaritans remains committed to providing invaluable support to residents and maintaining strong community ties.